Optoelectronic measurement of wrist movements in various casts and orthoses used in scaphoid fractures. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waton, Andrew; Forrest, Sarah; Whatling, Gemma M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hand surgery. Volume 44:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 607
• Page End: 613
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Scaphoid fracture -- immobilization -- scaphoid cast -- Colles' cast -- optoelectronic; 617.575059
• DOI: 10.1177/1753193419842519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-1934

Abstract

We developed an optoelectronic motion analysis protocol to measure anatomical and functional ranges of wrist motion in Colles'-type and scaphoid-type splints and casts. The protocol was used to study the restriction of wrist motion in casts and splints in ten healthy volunteers. Scaphoid-type casts were no more restrictive to wrist motion than Colles'-type casts, but casts were significantly more restrictive than removable splints. Removable splints were more restrictive than no immobilization. Results suggest there is no benefit in using scaphoid-type casts rather than Colles'-type casts to reduce wrist motion.